Buying guide

What size ceiling fan do I need? Blade span and height guide

Match the blade span to the room: about 36" (91 cm) for small rooms, 42-48" (107-122 cm) for bedrooms and living rooms, and 52" (132 cm) or more for large rooms. Keep the blades at least 7 ft (2.1 m) above the floor.

By Clearhalo 3 min read
Ceiling fan light with five blades
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Short answer

Choose the blade span by room size: about 36" (91 cm) or less for rooms up to 75 sq ft (7 m²), 42-48" (107-122 cm) for most bedrooms and living rooms, and 52" (132 cm) or more for large open rooms. Hang the fan with the blades at least 7 ft (2.1 m) above the floor, ideally 8-9 ft (2.4-2.7 m).

On this page

Fan size by room size

Room size Approx. m² Blade span
Up to 75 sq ft up to 7 36" (91 cm) or less
76-144 sq ft 7-13 36-44" (91-112 cm)
144-225 sq ft 13-21 44-50" (112-127 cm)
225-400 sq ft 21-37 50-54" (127-137 cm)
Over 400 sq ft over 37 56" (142 cm) or larger, or two fans

Blade span is the full width of the circle the blades make. Most of our ceiling fans have a blade span of 37-45" (94-114 cm), which suits typical bedrooms and living rooms. The exact width is on each product.

How high to hang a ceiling fan

  • Minimum: the blades should be at least 7 ft (2.1 m) above the floor.
  • Best airflow: 8-9 ft (2.4-2.7 m) from the floor, with the blades at least 10" (25 cm) below the ceiling.
  • Clearance: keep the blade tips at least 18" (45 cm) from walls and sloping ceilings.
01

Do I need a downrod or a flush mount fan?

With a ceiling under about 8 ft (2.4 m), choose a flush mount (hugger) fan that sits close to the ceiling. Higher ceilings need a downrod to bring the fan down to the best height: roughly 6" (15 cm) for a 9 ft ceiling, 12" (30 cm) for 10 ft and 24" (60 cm) for 12 ft. About three quarters of our fans hang on a downrod and the rest are flush mount.

02

Does the number of blades matter?

Not much for airflow; blade span, motor and blade angle matter more. Fewer blades usually look more modern and minimal, while five or more give a more traditional look. Four-blade fans are the most common in our range.

03

Can a ceiling fan replace my ceiling light?

Yes. Many of our fans have a built-in light, so one fixture gives you both. Check the bulb type and whether bulbs are included on each product, and make sure the ceiling box is rated to hold a fan. We recommend a qualified electrician for installation.

04

What about voltage?

Our ceiling fans are supplied for the voltage used in your country.

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